Effect of Some Mycotoxins on Superoxide Anion Production of Isolated Human Neutrophils and in Whole Blood

Abstract Activity of mycotoxins citrinin, ochratoxin B, rubratoxin B, and zearalenol β was studied on human neutrophils with regard to O2− generation. At the doses of 10−8, 10−6, 10−4, or 10−2 mg mL the mycotoxins stimulated the superoxide anion production in resting neutrophils in whole blood but inhibited it in isolated cells. In neutrophils stimulated with zymosan or PMA, mycotoxins showed inibiting effect both on isolated and in whole blood cells. The behavior of resting isolated neutrophils, identical to that of stimulated cells, was caused by manipulations to isolate cells that activated O2− production. Activity of mycotoxins was no dose-dependent permitting to consider their effect immunotoxic rather than immunomodulator; the absence of dose-dependence was connected to high variability of individual sensitivity to these compounds. Since the smaller concentrations by us used (10−8 and 10−6 mg mL) are easily reachable in blood, it is important to point out the danger represented for immune system by mycotoxins also in very small quantities.